§ Mr. MacShaneTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of undergraduates of British nationality entering(a) Oxford,
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§ Ms Estelle MorrisNo. It is a matter for local decision how local education authorities and school governing bodies comply with the duty to limit infant classes to 30 or under with effect from the start of the 2001–02 school year. Adjusting published school admission numbers relating to infant classes to multiples of 30 is one of a number of options available, although admission authorities have a duty to vary standard numbers where these are incompatible with class size limits. The Department will consider the plans put forward by local education authorities in the light of local needs and circumstances.
Local authority plans must give due regard to the exercise of parental preference. Our guidance states that this can be best achieved by adding to the number of classes in popular and high achieving schools which are able to expand. Where this is not possible local education authorities should ensure that there is sufficient space at another local school which offers a broadly equivalent standard of education.